Painting

Painting students pursue artistic excellence, experimental expression, and technical mastery through rigorous work and a deep sense of dedication.

In a world steeped in imagery and new technologies, painting is timeless. It connects us to history, culture, and humanity, while grounding us in the present through deep observation and reflection.

MassArt also offers an MFA in Studio Arts, in which students can choose to concentrate in Painting. Our full-time, two-year (60-credit) MFA Studio Arts program encourages students to experiment and explore, while refining the technical and conceptual strategies in their work.

BFA

Immerse yourself in a program that encourages independent creative thinking & making in a collaborative learning environment.

Faculty

Painting faculty provide guidance, technical instruction, and critique to help students develop their painting skills, artistic vision, and conceptual thinking.

Events

Explore Painting and fine arts events, exhibitions, and other happenings on campus, in the community, and the Greater Boston area.

Featured Work

Get inspired by the extraordinary work being produced by our students.

Studios

Students enjoy access to large individual painting studios with natural and artificial lighting, easels, and other essential tools.

MFA Studio Arts

Our MFA Studio Arts program provides rigorous education in three concentrations—Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture—each fostering individualized artistic vision and voice.

Featured Work

Francesca Santiago, ’25 BFA, Painting Fall: Baptism, Oil on canvas, 2023

A painting of a table scene with black and red

Kady Whynott, ’24 BFA, Painting Time is Fed, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 2023

An oil panting of a man and a woman sitting on a couch with somber looking faces.

Benjamin Henson, ’24 BFA, Painting Ben and Isabel, Oil on canvas, 2023

Our students enjoy progressive guidance and freedom to explore and strengthen their personal visions, focusing on technique, tradition, and innovative experimentation. Cecilia Vázquez Chair, Fine Arts 2D

A student sits at a canvas in his painting studio

22 sec

The Joy of Painting featuring MassArt student Nasiri Guzman ’22.
Filmed by Piyu Somani ’23 MFA Film/Video.
Directed and edited by Daisy St. Sauveur ’19 BFA Printmaking.

Painting Studios Explore our Studios

Once you declare your major in Painting as a sophomore, you’ll have access to personal studio space, which increases in size throughout your junior and senior years.

Featured Stories

Cicely Carew on transforming one’s creative passion into a fulfilling career — and maybe sparking a bit of wonder along the way.
Cicely Carew ‘05 BFA Painting

Fine Arts 2D

Painting